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Town hall sexism turns women off local politics

SEXISM and sexual harassment in the town hall are putting off a generation of women from entering local politics, a leading equality group claims.

The Fawcett Society, which campaigns for more women in public life, is to write to party leaders calling for an autonomous body to be set up which would examine reports of misconduct in local government.

In a report the society says that “sexism and sexual harassment, which is being increasingly scrutinised in Westminster, is equally prevalent in the corridors of our local town halls”.

It expresses concern that the lack of public scrutiny and the “few routes of redress” for female councillors often mean it is unpunished.

Some female councillors end up resigning because of sexist behaviour or inflexible hours that are hard to combine with family life, it says.

The study, Sexism and Local Government, is to be published this week to coincide with council